DESERT CAMPAIGN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25134, 27 January 1943, Page 3

DESERT CAMPAIGN

FLUCTUATING FORTUNES The present British offensive is the sixth major campaign on the rolling sands of the North African Desert since the outbreak of the war. Twice British forces have swept across Libya to Benghazi since Graziani drove to Sidi Barrani in 1940, and twice they have been driven back by Rommel. Following is a thumbnail summary of the war in the desert:— September 17, 1940.—Italians push to Sidi Barrani, 70 miles inside Egypt. December 8, 1940. British start counter-offensive. January 22, 1941.—British capture Tobruk. February 6.—British capture Benghazi 340 miles inside Libya. April 4.—Axis armies, driving back across Libya, retake Benghazi. April 12.—Tobruk encircled and put under siege. AprU 13.—Axis troops again reach Egyptian frontier. December 6.—British start new offen-

sive in Egypt. December 10.—Besieged Tobruk relieved. December 25. —British troops enter Benghazi for second time. January 29, 1942.—Rommel’s troops capture Benghazi for second time. June 13.—Two hundred British tanks ambushed. June 21.—Axis captures Tobruk; 25,000 British prisoners taken. July I.—Axis troops reach El Alamein area of Egypt. September I.—American air and tank forces disclosed to be participating in Egyptian battle. September 7.—Axis falls back slightly after British stop large-scale attack. October 23.—British begin third westward offensive. November 4. Eighth Army breaks through at E] Alamein. December 14,—Eighth Army’s drive continues from El Agheila. January 23, 1943.—Tripoli captured by the British.